‘Football United’ has been selected to compete at the 2010 Football Festival of Hope.
Competing at a World Cup is every footballers dream and a group of disadvantaged young Sydney players will have the chance to live that dream after the ‘Football United- program was selected to take part in the 2010 Football Festival of Hope, which will be run in conjunction with the FIFA World Cup in Johannesburg next year.
‘Football United- is one of only 32 groups from around the world invited to take part in the tournament, which will highlight the social dimension of the game and showcase outstanding examples of social development through football.
“It-s a massive thing for the kids,” said Sydney FC-s ‘Football United- ambassador, Alex Brosque. “It gives them something to look forward to. Not only are they getting together and playing football but now they get the opportunity to go overseas and play against a lot of kids from a lot of countries, and see the World Cup while they-re there. “
‘Football United- is an initiative of the School of Public Health and Community Medicine at the University of New South Wales, and is run in partnership with Councils, Migrant Resource Centres, football clubs and associations, and Sydney FC. The program uses football to build opportunities for belonging, racial harmony and social inclusion amongst Australia-s new immigrants.
Organisers of ‘Football United- will involve the program-s young participants in the selection process for the mixed five-a-side team to attend the Football Festival of Hope. The street football festival will run from July 3 – 10 next year in South Africa as part of celebrations surrounding the World Cup.
